CAIRO — The third round of the 2025–2026 Egypt Capital Cup group stage—the tournament’s fifth edition—produced mixed results, with Zamalek, Pyramids FC, and Al-Ahly suffering surprise defeats to Smouha, Ismaily, and Ghazl El-Mahalla, respectively, while Al-Masry and Pharco FC secured wins.
The group stage, which began during the international break for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Morocco, will run until January 17, 2026, featuring 21 teams divided into three groups of seven.
Zamalek 0-1 Smouha
Smouha edged past Zamalek 1-0 at the Arab Contractors Stadium. Alexandrian striker Hossam Ashraf scored the decisive goal in the 40th minute.
The first half saw both sides contesting possession, with Zamalek goalkeeper Mohamed Awad making several key saves to keep the score level. Smouha, however, largely controlled the match, while Zamalek struggled to capitalize on forward Amr Nasser and Brazilian winger Juan Alvina’s runs.
In the second half, Smouha maintained their dominance. Zamalek coach Ahmed Abdel Raouf attempted to turn the game with substitutions, introducing playmaker Nasser Maher, Palestinian striker Oday Dabbagh, and striker Nasser Mansi, but the White Knights could not find an equalizer, leaving the match at 1-0 in favor of Smouha.
Ismaily 3-1 Pyramids
Ismaily secured an impressive 3-1 win over Pyramids FC at Al-Salam Stadium, recording their first victory in the Egypt Capital Cup after two consecutive defeats.
Defender Abdelkarim Moustafa opened the scoring in the 6th minute, and left winger Nader Farag added a quick double in the 38th and 40th minutes to put the Dervishes firmly in control. Youssef Fouad scored Pyramids’ lone goal, but Ismaily held on to claim a well-earned victory.
Al-Ahly 1-2 El-Mahalla
Ghazl El-Mahalla secured a 2-1 victory over Al-Ahly at El-Mahalla Stadium. Al-Ahly fielded a largely youth squad, with only winger Hussein El-Shahat and defender Mostafa Al-Ash featuring from the senior side.
The result marks Al-Ahly’s second defeat in the tournament, following an opening loss to Enppi and a second-round win against Ceramica Cleopatra. El-Mahalla, meanwhile, had lost their only previous group match to Pharco FC and had a bye in the first round.
The match started brightly, with El-Mahalla dominating possession early on. Tunisian right winger Rached Arfaoui opened the scoring in the 9th minute with a powerful strike. Al-Ahly responded and managed to equalize in the 43rd minute through Omar Moawad, following a well-timed pass from El-Shahat, ending the first half 1-1.
The second half saw both teams pushing for a winner. DR Congo left winger Kibou Saidi netted the decisive goal for El-Mahalla in the 64th minute. Despite sustained attacking efforts from both sides, no further goals were scored, giving El-Mahalla a 2-1 victory.
Al-Masry 1-0 El-Hodood
Al-Masry of Port Said secured a crucial 1-0 win over Haras El-Hodood at the Suez Canal Stadium. The victory takes the Port Said side to 7 points, while Haras El-Hodood remain scoreless.
The first half ended goalless, with both teams creating chances but failing to convert. Al-Masry turned up the pressure in the second half, and forward Karim Bambo netted the decisive goal in the 88th minute, sealing all three points for the visitors.
Pharco 2-1 Enppi
Pharco FC secured a hard-fought 2–1 victory over Enppi at Haras El-Hodood Stadium in the third round of Group A of the Egypt Capital Cup.
Enppi took the lead shortly after the break when midfielder Ali Mahmoud found the net in the 51st minute. Pharco responded in the 65th minute through midfielder Ahmed El-Bahrawy, before Senegalese defender Babacar N’Diaye sealed the comeback with a decisive strike in the 73rd minute.
NBE 1-1 El-Gouna
El-Gouna fought back to earn a 1-1 draw against NBE Club at Khaled Beshara Stadium. The result moves El-Gouna to 7 points, with NBE Club on 5 points.
NBE Club took the lead just before halftime, with striker Ahmed Amin “Oufa” scoring in the 44th minute.
El-Gouna responded in the second half, with right winger Ahmed Gamal leveling in the 65th minute. Despite efforts from both sides, the score remained 1-1 at full time.
Kahraba 1-1 Al-Ittihad
Kahraba Ismailia and Al-Ittihad Alexandria shared the points following a 1–1 draw at Al-Salam Stadium in the third round of the Egypt Capital Cup.
Kahraba broke the deadlock deep into first-half stoppage time as right-back Karim Yehia scored in the 45+1 minute. Al-Ittihad hit back in the 55th minute through Nigerian winger Abubakar Liadi, leaving both sides level on two points in the group standings.
Degla 3-0 Modern
Wadi Degla produced a dominant display to defeat Modern Sport 3–0 at Petro Sport Stadium in the third round of the Egypt Capital Cup.
Midfielder Hamza Hassan opened the scoring in the 19th minute, before forward Ahmed Farouk doubled the advantage in the 61st. Right winger Youssef Oya wrapped up the win with a late goal in the 82nd minute.
Contractors 0-0 El-Geish
Arab Contractors and Talae El-Geish played out a goalless draw at Arab Contractors Stadium in the third round of Group A of the Egypt Capital Cup.
The result leaves Arab Contractors sixth in Group A with two points, while Talae El-Geish moves up to second place on five points.
Groups lineup
The 21 participating teams have been divided into three groups of seven.
Group One features Al-Ahly, Ceramica Cleopatra, Pharco FC, Talae El-Geish, Enppi, Ghazl El-Mahalla, and Arab Contractors.
Group Two includes Pyramids FC, NBE Club, Petrojet, El-Gouna, Modern Sport, Ismaily, and Wadi Degla.
Group Three consists of Zamalek, Al-Masry, Haras El-Hodood, ZED FC, Al-Ittihad of Alexandria, Smouha, and Kahraba Ismailia.
Prize pool
The Egypt Capital Cup boasts a lucrative prize pool, with the champions earning EGP 10 million, the runners-up EGP 4 million, third place EGP 2 million, and fourth place EGP 1.5 million.
The increased financial rewards have raised the stakes, driving fierce competition as clubs battle to secure their share of the substantial payouts.
Previous champions
Modern Sport captured the inaugural Egypt Capital Cup title by defeating Ghazl El-Mahalla in the first final.
Ceramica Cleopatra then asserted dominance, winning three straight editions, overcoming Al-Masry, Talae El-Geish, and NBE Club in successive finals.
